State Visit from Portugal — day 2

Motiv: During lunch at Stockholm City Hall. The King and Queen and the Presidential couple with the Municipal Executive Board's First Vice Chair Eva-Louise Erlandsson Slorach, Chair of the Municipal Council Margareta Björk and Finance Commissioner Sten Nordin. Photo: royalcourt.se

On Wednesday 2 October, President Cavaco Silvas continued his visit to Sweden.

The Queen and Mrs Cavaco Silva09:45 The Queen and Mrs Cavaco Silva arrived at Karolinska Institutet, where they were met by Minister Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth. Professor Martin Ingvar spoke about new research in which researchers can measure how the brain works during activities such as listening to music and reading, and how stress affects the functions of the brain. 10:40 The Queen and Mrs Cavaco Silva visited the Swedish Institute of Assistive Technology, where they were given a demonstration of help in the home for people with disabilities. Marie Ljungberg Schött is Chair of the Swedish Institute of Assistive Technology, and spoke about the importance of being able to continue living at home. Assistive technology in the home delays the need to move to care homes and nursing homes, creating a sense of security and improving quality of life for the elderly.

Vice Mayor of Stockholm for Elderly Services and Urban Development and Chairman of Micasa Joakim Larsson then showed The Queen and Mrs Cavaco Silva a showroom in which various assistive technology was demonstrated, including a bed with a built-in alarm.

The Queen and Mrs Cavaco Silva during the tour of the Swedish Institute of Assistive Technology and Micasa's showroom. Photo: royalcourt.se

The King and the President 11:00 After President Cavaco Silva had met Speaker Per Westerberg at the Riksdag, The King and the President arrived at Näringslivets Hus, where they were welcomed by Chairman of the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise Jens Spendrup. A business forum was held at Näringslivets Hus, with business delegations from Sweden and Portugal taking part. 11:04 CEO of AICEP Portugal Pedro Reis opened the forum and welcomed the participants. Minister for Trade Ewa Björling then spoke about the excellent trade relationships between Sweden and Portugal. One area of particular interest to Sweden is Portugal's work with design and smart textiles. Portugal's Minister of Economy António Pires de Lima then spoke about how the financial crisis has affected Portugal, but explained that many companies are now starting to see an improvement. New markets are being investigated and exports are rising, with many of these exports being to new markets.

Portugal's President at Näringslivets Hus. Photo: royalcourt.se

11:30 The President spoke about how Sweden and Portugal share many values and have common interests. In Portugal, Sweden is seen as a trustworthy and reliable partner, not least since Sweden helped to build social structures during the 1970s.

The King and the President leave Näringslivets Hus. Photo: royalcourt.se

The King and Queen and the Presidential couple 12:25 The King and Queen and the Presidential couple arrived at Stockholm City Hall, where Minister for Trade Ewa Björling and Portugal's Minister of Economy António Pires de Lima joined them for an exhibition on fashion and design in the Gilded Hall.

In the Gilded Hall at Stockholm City Hall. Photo: royalcourt.se

13:00 The City of Stockholm provided lunch at Stockholm City Hall. Lunch was hosted by Chair of Stockholm Municipal Council Margareta Björk and Finance Commissioner Sten Nordin.

The seating list and menu for lunch. The first course consisted of Jerusalem artichoke soup with reindeer confit. The main course was fillet of veal with savoy cabbage, potato cake and port wine jus, and the dessert was passion fruit mousse with coconut pearls and mango sorbet. Photo: royalcourt.se

15:05 The King and Queen and the Presidential couple left Stockholm City Hall together with the Portuguese and Swedish delegations for a visit to Ericsson Studio in Kista. 15:25 The King and Queen and the Presidential couple arrived at Ericsson Studio, where they were welcomed by CEO Hans Vestberg and Mats Guldbrand from Ericsson Studio. The visit began with Hans Vestberg speaking about Ericsson and the company's history, as well as its plans for the future and the company's operations in Portugal.

18:50 The King and Queen, The Crown Princess Couple and Prince Carl Philip arrived for the Presidential couple's reciprocal reception at the Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel. During the reception, Fado singer Cuca Roseta provided musical entertainment. Fado is sometimes called the soul of Portugal, and is characterised by melancholic melodies.